Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

Spider-Man : Across the Spider - Verse 

This film is the most beautifully looking animated film I’ve ever seen on top of it surpassing Into The Spider - Verse which was no easy feat! As a person who’s been a fan of this character since I was a kid I have always been a nerd when it comes to getting the character right onscreen and when the 2018 spider - verse film hit the screen it became in my eyes the greatest Spider-Man story ever captured on film. Now the filmmakers somehow found a way to raise the bar in terms of storytelling and even animation from the last film. The film is able to expand upon Miles Morales’s character arc and give eye popping visuals and expand the world of the Spider-  Verse  without comprising the important ingredient of what makes these films special which is the heart of the story at hand  and the amazing emotion that is captured so beautifully. This is a Empire Strikes Back level of brilliance in terms of a sequel and the fact they were able to find a way to top the last film and bring this story to new heights is outstanding. 

Firstly, Their is so much I want  to discuss about this film! I’ll start off with the animation and sheer look of this film which in my opinion is the best looking animated film I’ve ever seen in my life. This film changes the game in terms of what you can accomplish with animation on the big screen. If you were amazed by the visuals in the first movie this film not only tops it but achieves things you have no idea how they did it. What really stands out among the amazing animation style was its ability to have entirely different animation looks for each character no other film I have ever seen do that for a film. It never felt like it was just doing that to be flashy but it worked for the story and the tone of the film.  When Gwen Stacy who has a very complex and emotionally gutting  arc in this film is seen with her dad in the first 25 minutes the animation style reflects her feelings. It’s able to convey the sheer stress she’s going through through the colours and as your already wrapped into the scene from the fantastic acting it goes beyond that by bringing the animation style to reflect the tone of that moment I have never seen a film make such a brilliant creative choice like that. For some people the animation style can be very flashy but I never had such an issue the way the film looks is so explosive in colours you are immediately thrust into the world of Miles Morales. The sheer eye popping visuals also once again lock you into the comic book atmosphere making you feel like your witnessing a comic being told in front of your eyes the same way the first film masterfully captured that essence it delivers that astonishing nature once again. I cannot express enough how beautifully striking this film is and goes places  animation wise no film has and it’s truly groundbreaking with an already amazing narrative the animators went beyond phenomenal. It’s able to capture the heart of what Spider-Man is while also elevating the look and capturing its world in ways that are so astonishing you could literally pause any moment of the film and hang it on your wall as a painting. And did I just write a whole bit about the animation yes Because it is that good and it deserves the credit for the incredible hard work these animators have spent years working on and it’s paid off because it’s breathtaking. The animation changes the game for what you can do on film and I can see this film being studied for years for how huge of a milestone this is for filmmaking the most beautifully animated film I’ve ever seen. 

The narrative is beyond genius! Now if the first film was the introduction to Miles Morales and the craziness of him becoming Spider-Man then this is incredible second act of him trying to balance his life now. What makes Spider-Man such a captivating character is the relatability of him with how he struggles with his day to day issues while trying to save the world and how that stayed the heart of the story makes it stand out for its importance on character growth. You see the struggle Miles has since we last saw him of trying to be there for his family while the thought of wanting to be Spider-Man on a mission eats at his brain. That within itself is a great conflict for the character as their is such more development as well on his relationship with his parents and the frustration of telling them who he is and also showing the serious consequences of telling them if he chooses to. As it’s able to discuss very relatable themes especially between Miles and his dad and wanting to be their for him while also trying to balance the act of saving the world but if he chooses saving someone’s life he has to live now with letting his dad down at a big event and to his dad he just sees it as him not wanting to be their when it’s a lot more complicated then that. The film really lets the characters expand emotionally and explore new sides to their relationships from yes Miles to even Gwen who has truly one of the most heartbreaking arcs I’ve seen in any version of Spider-Man. So the sheer attention to the centre of the film which is the human aspect and the lifestyle he leads under the mask being as important as the big action set pieces really stood out and makes the film that more engaging as it’s not just a big spectacle with a empty soul theirs so much great depth going on in each of the characters lives. The story powerfully explores the hearts of the characters we were introduced to in the first film in such a emotionally raw way that will move you. It goes places emotionally and asks questions that will amaze you and it’s done in such a brilliant way. The writers capture a third act that will have your jaw firmly on the floor with a cliffhanger that’ll have you eager to see how this story wraps up. It’s action packed with pulse pounding moments along with some of the best character development I’ve ever seen in a film and then having spectacular animation on top of it. The story is incredibly well written and builds upon the first film in an outstanding way. 

Secondly, the performances are all excellent across the board. Shameik Moore delivers a layered and energetic performance as Miles the second time around and really exploring where he stands morally. He is able to give that witty and comedic aspect of Miles we have come to love  but also lets his heart be on full display in such striking and truly powerfully ways and he goes places emotionally he never went in the first film he raises the bar in terms of exploring Miles Morales and it’s a truly incredible performance. Then you have Hallie Steinfeld who in my opinion gives a truly phenomenal performance that not only surpasses what she did in the last film but delivers a heartbreaking performance that truly blew me away. What she does in this film in terms of where her character goes and the challenges she goes through not only made for such a solid performance by Hailee to showcase her fantastic emotional range as an actor. As well as the arc Gwen goes on is amazing and seeing her heart getting ripped apart in such a brutal  way really makes for one of the most compelling characters of the film and Hailee is a amazing scene stealer  as she one ups what she did in the first film and really shows her arc expand in ways that may not be happy but damn is it rich in fantastic complexity and she keeps you locked into her performance due to the emotional drive she has in this film. Then theirs great newcomers like Oscar Isaac who plays Miguel O’ Hara in what I would say is a morally grey character that will do whatever is necessary to keep things in order and Issac delivers that intensity in such a gripping and at times terrifying way but you can’t take your eyes off of him the entire time. Then theirs Daniel Kaluuya who delivers  one of the most fun and entertaining performances of the film with this version of Spider-Man that is very stylistic for sure but also very laid back and it worked beautifully for Daniel. He knew exactly how to approach this character and I can see why this character is such a fan favourite as he may not have a ton of screen time but when he is he chews up each second. As you’ll want to see more of him due to the fantastic introduction he has and Daniel Kaluuya’s truly fun performance that you can’t help but be amazed when he lights up the screen a truly great performance by Daniel Kaluuya. Everyone involved gave great performances theirs not one bad or mediocre performance in this film. Each actor gave it their absolute all the performances are truly all spectacular. 

lastly, Spider-Man : Across the Spider - Verse is one of the greatest sequels I’ve ever seen. This trilogy is shaping up to become one of the best trilogies of all time as not only did this film build upon the world we were introduced to in the first film in such an amazing way. It’s ability to ask emotionally charged questions of what makes Spider-Man who he is truly sets it apart from other superhero films in terms of the deep rooted themes that are explored in a way that is darker and more dramatic. The animation is truly on another level of greatness as it’s the best looking film I’ve ever seen and the attention to detail with changing the colours to match the characters emotions those small things really make the film pop in such a beautiful way. You can see the sheer passion and love from the writers to the actors that they have for these characters and this world as from each department of this film each person gave an amazing job. It expands upon the characters arc  in great ways and we see that struggle they all go through and seeing that hardship of who they are behind the mask was amazingly presented. And it’s showcased such a fantastic second act for this three part trilogy that I would say has a cliffhanger that is like Empire Strikes Back this film also had no hesitation to go darker thematically with the film. It’s able to respect the characters and go places that best suit the character emotional journeys and the narrative at hand it’s truly a spectacular film that is the best animated film I’ve ever seen and Is one of the best films of the year. I recommend everyone go run to see this film one the biggest screen possible with the best sound system. 

This film centres around what Miles Morales has been doing since we last saw him and still struggling with telling his parents about his powers without it jeopardizing his relationship with them. He also is faced with an emotional task that he never had seen before. 

Rated PG : Some Language|Animated Action Violence|Thematic Elements

Shameik Moore  : Moore delivers a performance that charismatic and emotionally vulnerable! Now first time we saw him we were just learning about him and who he was now we are catching up with Miles and seeing how his life has been since he has taken on the task of being one of the web crawlers. What I love about his performance in this film is the sheer amount of layers he explores as yes he showed great amounts of emotion and vulnerability in the first film but here their is no need for introduction it’s more about expanding upon his arc and  he is just trying to get by while keeping his powers a secret from his loved ones.  He is drowning in trying to be their for his parents but he also feels the burning need to be out their like the rest of the web slingers and making a difference by saving the world and his frustration of feeling like he’s being left out on the action is a great conflict that he takes on. As he has so many questions of why he’s not being called into Spiderman like situations and we learn later on why that is but to Miles he has to figure out that on his own and the way Shameik explores with Miles that emotional longing and want to prove to he can do so much more then people think was greatly brought through his performance as you can feel that emotional frustration in each line he speaks. As his moral of who it is to be a hero is an incredible challenge thrown at Miles that results in some of the most gripping character depth I’ve seen in any version of Spider-Man go through. The way Shameik is able to channel that social anxiety and stuttering way of speaking when around Gwen is adorably perfect. As you can see that he has romantic feelings for her and Shameik Moore is able to convey that unspoken feeling through his performance amazingly well. The small details he explores the second time around is what makes Miles really stand out the way he will use humour to try to lesson the blow of a emotional conversation with his parents so that it won’t turn into conflict but still knowing the weight of why their upset at them without treating it entirely like a joke and making it come off disrespectful that balance is perfectly presented through his performance as he walks that fine line at times throughout the film. And as the film progresses we see the impact of the situation he goes through take a toll on his heart as he starts to question the loyalty of his friends as he’s thrown into a emotionally grim situation that shocks his soul. The friends he made through discovering himself he questions yes but even has to think if he can even trust them to have his back as he feels very much backed into a corner by the third act of the film and it’s done in such a way that not only has your jaw on the floor but the way Moore brings that vulnerability and sheer heartache will have you in tears. Sure he has that fun wit and humour that results in genuinely funny moments but he takes such passion in exploring who Miles wants to become as a person with his family and as a hero and he’s able to explore that theme in such a deep and captivating way that really blew me away. As he isn’t just repeating the same beats of the character from the last film he finds new ground of the character he has yet to explore and expands upon it which was amazingly brought to the screen by Shameik Moore in a performance that not only surpasses what he did in the first film but he raises the bar in wanting to constantly keep learning of the identity of who Miles is as a person and exploring the hurdles he goes through  and it’s a beautiful performance that has such charm humour and depth that is extraordinary. 

Hallie Steinfeld : Hallie delivers a heartbreaking performance as Gwen Stacy in the second act of this trilogy. Now When we met Gwen back in the first film she seemed very confident and had things handled with her powers very well. Now catching up with her in her current situation her personal life is in shambles and she couldn’t be further from okay. one of the reasons I love this film so much is also due to the way they give Gwen’s arc so much more time and really flesh out her character a lot more compared to the first film. Their is about a good 30 minutes of the beginning of the narrative that is dedicated solely to Gwen’s arc and the heartache she suffers and its presented in such a tragic and layered way that has you feel for her. As to me her performance and her character depth is brilliantly showcased from the great writing at hand but also from how Hallie Steinfeld was able to bring such a vulnerable and sensitive performance to the screen. As in the first film she was as I mentioned confident and charismatic using her powers with such style and here that is all stripped away and you are shown the scared, depressed and lonely person she has become since last seeing her. Now the relationship focus they put on her and her father in this film is emotionally gutting to watch unfold as Miles is struggling if he should tell his parents about his powers or not Gwen is facing similar struggles but I would even say her situation is a lot more intense and bleak and Hallie goes places with her character you wouldn’t expect her to go. As she has to give a performance of Gwen when she’s at her most emotionally battered we have ever seen while keeping that to herself and not let anyone around her see the pain she is feeling and its quite powerful in how Steinfeld delivers that in her performance. As us the audience see what her situation is but she still has to mask herself in a way and the sheer scope of layers that Hallie goes through in this film is incredible. As we are seeing Gwen at he lowest point and for any actor exploring that dynamic of that turmoil a character is going through is pretty fascinating and wow does she give such a gut punch performance that hits you right in the heart. The sheer sadness in her voice and the shakiness in the way she delivers her dialogue you feel each word land in such raw emotion and Hallie really wraps herself up in each frame with such passion and dedication to this character. Not only does she give a solid performance as Gwen once again since they explore things about her character in ways they didn’t before you are left wanting to see how her arc will concluded in the next film. Hallie is one of the best actors of her generation as whenever she takes on a character  whatever the role is  she commits to it with her whole heart and you can see the sheer blood sweat and tears put through this performance. As she could have just given another rinse and repeat of what we saw before but instead digs deeper into Gwen’s heart and shows the stress she goes under since we last saw her and it results in a emotionally charged performance that will move you. 

Oscar Issac : Now the role Oscar plays Is so freaking cool! When I heard Oscar Issac was going to be in a Spider-Man film it got me so excited as he is one of the most talented and underrated actors of his generation. He plays Miguel O’ Hara a version of Spider-Man who is very morally grey and is incredibly direct with his demands. Now he’s not a straight up antagonist or protagonist he operates in both areas which makes for such an interesting character to watch unfold onscreen. As he not brought into the film until halfway through the second act of the film and for the screen time he does have wow does he pop and capture your attention. As unlike the other characters and other versions of Spider-Man he isn’t putting on this charming witty persona he is very serious in how he approaches conflict and does not look for the humour in conversation. Oscar Isaac is able to bring this complex character to the screen with amazing intensity in his voice and at times terrifying in the way he presents this character and you can’t look away and Issac is electric. As he has this brooding intimating nature to him that he taps into perfectly and you can feel each word he says land with such passion in his voice and he is able to showcase great range of the character and his emotions through the little time he has onscreen and make such a great impression on the audience both with the character and his performance at hand. It is a performance that draws you in the moment you see him and Issac commands the screen in one of his most complex characters he’s ever played and I cannot wait to see how he develops the character even more in the next film as Oscar Isaac was perfectly casted to play this character as he understood exactly what was needed to bring this character to the screen. It’s a terrific performance that is terrifyingly captivating. 

Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson : These three filmmakers have crafted one of the greatest sequels ever put on film! First off having the involvement of Kemp Powers the incredible screenwriter of Soul and One Night In Miami co directing on this film truly one of the greatest choices to have him on board as one of the directors at the helm of this fantastic film. And to have two other filmmakers who also haven’t really got to make a big splash in the directing world be given the keys to this big franchise was a huge task and all of the directors at hand knocked it out of the park. As the first film was directed by a different set of filmmakers so to bring in three other people who never directed the last film to take on the sequel is no easy feat and not only did they respect the characters and the world the other filmmakers before them crafted they were able to expand upon it in such a great way. The sheer passion and excitement you can see in each frame of this film as they poured every ounce of themselves into this great follow up to into the Spider- Verse. It never felt like it was reusing old plot lines from the previous film it was able to go places with the characters emotionally that you wouldn’t expect and it works very well. Their are also themes In this film that is very deep, complex and at times dark.I love that the directors respect the characters enough that they know they can bring them into those emotionally challenging places and grip the audiences with it in a way that does not just go dark for the sake of being dramatic but in a way that services both the characters and the story in a smart and truly brilliant way. As we were introduced to the world of Spider-Verse last time so now its about building upon the relationships of characters we know while still introducing new ones without loosing focus of the core values of what Miles stands for which it never looses sight of. It takes  a lot of characters in very grim places and are thrust into situations that make them decide very morally deep questions about themselves and its amazing how sharp the writing is along yes with the direction but also the visuals. The animation is on another level of greatness it’s truly one of the most visually beautiful films I have ever seen. The film feels like an amazing second act that leaves its audience on a cliffhanger wanting to know what happens next. They get great performances from their cast all giving amazing work while also delivering the action which is jaw dropping and pulse pounding then you have the witty humour that also lands greatly giving amazing genuine laughs and even will have you emotionally wrapped up in some scenes too. It perfectly balances all of it so well while keeping attention on the heart of the story which is Miles figuring out his place as a superhero and its beautifully well told in a way that will have you moved multiple times throuhgout the film. These three filmmakers truly captured an outstanding sequel that surpasses the last film and delivers on all fronts with breathtaking animation, incredible performances amazing themes with great action set pieces they have given a truly spectacular film that is one of the greatest sequels ever put to screen amazing job by all three filmmakers at the helm.